Pousse pousse toys made by parents of sponsored children Raharimalala and her husband, Ramanjanahary, in Madagascar.

A rural village, west of Antsirabe, Madagascar.

Join us as we celebrate Geography Awareness Week with National Geographic and friends. This year’s theme “focuses on how geography enables us all to be intrepid explorers in our own way.”

Today we take a closer look at Madagascar, one of the countries in Africa where we work.

As the fourth-largest island nation, Madagascar is home to some of the rarest animals and plants in the world.

Lemurs, fossas and Ploughshare tortoises are just a few of the exotic inhabitants that draw tourists and scientists to its shores every year. The country’s isolation has allowed these species to survive.

Unfortunately, this isolation also means the Malagasy people can sometimes feel cut off from the rest of the world. Many of them struggle with chronic poverty, as the World Bank estimates that 92 percent of residents live on less than $2 a day.

Through sponsorship, families in Madagascar are receiving hope and support in their journey toward a better life.

Poverty and desperation had driven some residents to resort to theft and other crimes in an effort to make ends meet, while others had turned to drugs and alcohol.

Once parents of sponsored children began meeting together and using their resources to start small businesses, however, the community benefited. Trust and a support system among neighbors began to develop.

Victorine (left) and Albertine (right) in their village.

“I have lived in this community for 20 years, and I never felt safe,” said Victorine, whose grandson, Bienvenu, is sponsored. “This all changed when CFCA became part of our community. The people now are changing their lives and trying to make the best out of what they have.”